Why Use CRM?

Somewhere along the lines of running your business between educational conferences, meetings with business partners, or coffee amongst friends you’ve probably heard the term CRM. What does it mean? Why is it important? Do you really need one? This blog will answer those questions and give you the information you need to make the decision based on your business interests.

First off, what is it?
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Manager. In the past it was known as a Rolodex or a database. Although there are similarities, a CRM has significant differences from the aforementioned, making it a much superior tool for business management.

What are the differences?
Let’s just take “Rolodex” out of the equation. This may have been the vernacular 20 years ago, but “database” is a much more commonly used term these days. A database is essentially a phone book of your sphere of influence. It is an organized compilation of your clients, business partners, and highly regarded associates. What do I mean by organized? There’s a hierarchy in every database – a scale that grades the productivity of each client. Usually your A+ clients are the ones that give you the most referrals, B clients gave you maybe one or two referrals, C clients are hot prospects, D clients are a little warmer but still deserve a spot amongst your network, and so on so forth.
A CRM is essentially a “smart” database. It keeps track of who you have and have not communicated with, reminds you who you need to check in with, who you need to update about products, sales promotions etc. A CRM is a software solution that takes the stress of relationship management off your hands. It’s basically your personal business coach that gives you daily instructions on key performance activities you need to be focusing on in order to get the results you want to achieve. For instance, a good CRM can take financial goals and calculate a track for you to achieve them based on your deadlines and organizational structure. So the question really is, do you want an automated business coach or a phone book?

Another important not about good CRM's
With the recent transition of technology to mobile compatibility, it is crucial to invest in a CRM that possesses mobile capabilities and syncs to all of your devices. As a business owner, you of all people understand that some of the best opportunities come in the most spontaneous of circumstances. You probably won’t be carrying your laptop around with you at the grocery store, but you might have your iPhone, and your iPhone will allow you to add a new contact to your CRM and input a key interest you don’t want to forget!

Get ready to streamline your business
IntelliEvent is finalizing the production of an integrated CRM into its best-in-class Lightning business management solution. Consumers can expect the launch of this CRM to occur in the next few months. Get ready to get organized and grow your sales!